Game Takes: Fishers 66, Noblesville 59

After a strong first half by Noblesville, Fishers outscored the Millers 24-11 in the third quarter.  The key to the game was paint touches.  Noblesville, relying heavily on ball screens, found success in the first half, especially the second quarter.  Fishers answered in the third by doing a better job of creating space, where they were able to take advantage of some matchups athletically.  Where Fishers turned to the tide, starting early in the third quarter, was attacking on loose possessions (misses or live ball turnovers).  

• Keenan Garner, 6'6" senior forward, and JonAnthony Hall, 6'2" junior guard, were consistently on the attack the whole game for Fishers.  
  • Garner is someone you have to defend to the 3PT line, but ultimately his strength is driving from range.  At the rim, he's strong and patient with footwork.  He finished off one and two last night, including a couple of possessions where he powered through multiple defenders.  
  • Hall is playing off the ball a lot more this year, and the early returns appear beneficial.  There won't be many games when he isn't the best athlete on the court, and he made plays accordingly, keeping balls alive, finishing around the basket and just outright beating his defender off a stationary catch.
• Aaron Fine had a big second quarter, scoring 13 of his 26, but Noblesville isn't going to be successful relying on big scoring nights from him.  
  • In the second quarter, he was excellent at taking advantage of lapses in the Fishers defense, but as those lapses were tightened up in the second half, the ball stuck with him as he was hunting.  Much of his second half production came after Fishers had taken control of the game.  
• Justin Curry, 6'4" sophomore guard, and Hunter Walston, 6'5" senior wing, didn't get much going in the second half.
• As Fishers was starting to find and finish on loose possessions, it opened the door for Justin Kirby.  The 6'3" junior guard is every bit the athlete Hall is, and like Hall, he was creating plays and second chance opportunities with his length and athleticism.  The extra space in the second half was helpful.
• Fishers two freshmen guards showed a lot of promise last night.  Cooper Zachary, 5'9", and Jason Gardner, 6'0", both were no worse than steady, and both were equally able to get to the paint and make plays.
  • Truly impressed with them defensively.  They both hounded the ball without over extending.